Michigan

Our Michigan team was founded in 2008 to serve the needs of child care businesses in the Detroit. The team has a deep understanding of the importance of early care and education’s impact on underserved communities, and has provided critical support to business owners in Southeastern Michigan.

Since 2008, the team and its work has grown to serve the entire state, providing support to family child care entrepreneurs and child care center business leaders in every corner of Michigan. Whether your business is just launching, or you have been in business for decades, our team has tools, resources and expertise to bring your business to its next phase of growth.

Child Care Business Services

FCF grows the supply and sustainability of excellent care. Our business development programs and services assist entrepreneurs to launch, stabilize, improve, and expand child care businesses. We approach child care leaders as entrepreneurs, increasing their capacity to start and operate financially sustainable child care businesses.

Child care businesses in Michigan are eligible to participate in a variety of trainings, workshops, cohorts, and individual consultation at no cost. To learn more about our services, please complete our Client Inquiry Form, or send an email to InfoMI@firstchildrensfinance.org.

 

Our Services

Spring 2024 Trainings

Community Consultations

Individual Business Consultation

 Community Conversations

Start here to access our services or learn more about support your child care business journey.

Rural Child Care Innovation Program

The Rural Child Care Innovation Program (RCCIP) is an innovative community engagement process designed to increase the supply of high-quality child care in rural communities. The purpose of RCCIP is to guide communities in identifying the scope and size of their child care challenges, and to empower and support communities to develop solutions to address these challenges.

Please email James Henderson at jamesh@firstchildrensfinance.org for additional information.

Learn more about RCCIP Michigan

Caring for MI Future

The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) is leading a comprehensive, statewide effort – Caring for MI Future – to increase the number of licensed child care programs across the state. Caring for MI Future is a $100 million investment that will help more Michigan families find quality, affordable child care in their community by opening 1,000 new, or expanded, child care programs by the end of 2024.

As a Caring for MI Future partner, First Children’s Finance will be leading the Rural Child Care Innovation Program to serve 6 more rural communities, and providing comprehensive business support services for emerging and existing child care businesses.

This project is supported by funding provided from the Michigan Department of Education utilizing American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, from the Office of Child Care, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  

 

 

Get to Know Our Michigan Team!

Our FCF Michigan team is ready to help you grow, develop and achieve new heights as a child care entrepreneur. Here is a short introduction of all of our team members and regions they support. Now that you who we are, let us know how we can help you build your child care business!

What Our Michigan Clients Are Saying

“Being in the Business Leadership Cohort was equivalent to several business college courses. It  prompted my initiative to build our business plan. Breaking down the business plan simplified the process and eliminated the overwhelming aspect.

I particularly liked the break down of sessions because it allowed me, as a business owner,  the time to absorb the information and apply it effectively. Overall, the training was beneficial because it allowed me to organize things. The fact that all business scenarios and material was directed toward early child care truly simplified things because we knew exactly where to apply the information.”

LaShawn Bridges, Child Care Entrepreneur, Blessed Beginnings

Projects: Blessed Beginnings Increases Financial Stability

Owner, Mrs. LaShawn Bridges of Blessed Beginnings Learning Center, LLC was faced with shoeboxes of receipts and loads of documents with no real system for managing her family child care business records. She felt like her business was operating fine but record keeping attempts was not a top priority. LaShawn applied for several grants within the community and received not one but two! She attributed the success of those grants to FCF helping her understand the importance of good record keeping, regularly reviewing financial information, and being comfortable talking about your financial needs as it relates to your business. First Children’s Finance first conducted a business assessment for LaShawn, and she enrolled in a cohort specific to the business providers on leadership development. FCF provides ongoing individual consultation and technical assistance.

Read the full story in the link below.

Our First Children’s Finance Michigan Team

James Henderson

Michigan Director
Direct: 612-279-6523

Jessica Affholter

Business Development Manager – Michigan
Direct: 612-464-5090

Angeliek Lopez

Business Development Specialist – Michigan
Direct: 612-439-9651

Alexis Townsend

Business Development Specialist – Michigan